Health
TCI Health Ministry says COVID cases up, information slow in coming
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writing
#TurksandCaicos, February 1, 2024 – Symptomatic Covid-19 Cases are on the rise in the Turks and Caicos Islands prompting a warning from the Ministry of Health but it may be that delayed dissemination of information could put residents at risk.
According to the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the cases are concentrated in Grand Turk. Between the week of January 14 to 20th, there were eight new cases, six in Grand Turk and two in Providenciales. During the week of January 7th to 13th 10 new cases had been recorded, seven in Grand Turk and three in Providenciales. Both updates were shared on January 29th along with a graphic indicating cases were rising and instructing residents on how to prevent infection.
Updates on the COVID-19 case count locally via the dashboard continue to be, one, two or three weeks behind. The COVID-19 dashboard, while billed as a weekly update, has been delayed for the past several months, providing residents with out-of-date information each time it is posted. Thankfully no hospitalisations have been recorded over the period.
Currently, there is no information for last week (January 21 to 27th).
When Magnetic Media carried reports of increasing COVID-19 cases in the United States in early January, the only available information on the TCI Ministry of Health website pertained to mid-December. 
Now that those statistics are shared, it confirms the country was also going through an increase at that time. It is not unusual for COVID-19 cases to spike during the winter flu season along with influenza and other respiratory diseases including RSV.
Commenting on the uptick in COVID-19 cases Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services, said “We have the tools at our disposal to get tested for COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections. Every person has a role to play in practising proper hygiene at all times to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as well as other communicable diseases. There are actions which you can take to protect yourself and others.”
The JN.1 variant is currently spreading rapidly in the United States, the Turks and Caicos’ largest travel partner. Turks and Caicos residents are now being asked to take extra caution to avoid infection.
The MoHHS advises:
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissues in a waste basket. If a tissue is unavailable, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow rather than your hands.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or the duration of singing the birthday song twice. If soap and water are not accessible, utilize an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs often spread when hands come into contact with contaminated surfaces and then touch the face.
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is unwell.
- Avoid close contact with individuals who are unwell.
- If you are sick or your child is sick, stay home and maintain a distance from others, particularly those in vulnerable groups, to prevent the transmission of illness.
- Get tested and seek treatment.
- Masks can be worn in settings where social distancing is not possible and in cases where persons are vulnerable.
- Prioritize ample rest, hydration, nutritious eating, stress management, and physical activity to support overall well-being.
Health
Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital Celebrates Successful Completion of 2026 Summer READY Programme
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – August 18, 2026 – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Summer READY Programme, a two-week internship initiative designed to provide high school students in Forms 3-5 with hands-on exposure to the healthcare environment and an opportunity to explore careers within the sector.
The programme, organised and hosted by the Training and Education Department, welcomed students into various clinical departments,
where they gained first-hand insight into the day-to-day operations of a healthcare facility and learned directly from healthcare professionals.
Throughout the two-week internship, students were exposed to different aspects of patient care and clinical operations while developing important workplace competencies, including communication, teamwork, professionalism, punctuality and responsibility. The experience was designed to complement classroom learning while helping students make more informed decisions about their future education and career pathways.
Vernessa Forbes, Training and Education Manager, said the Summer READY Programme reflects the hospital’s commitment to developing young people and creating meaningful opportunities for them to explore the healthcare profession.
“Summer READY is about giving our young people an opportunity to experience healthcare beyond what they may have seen or learned in the classroom. Over the two weeks, our students were able to interact with healthcare professionals, observe different clinical environments and gain a better understanding of the dedication and teamwork required to care for our patients. We were impressed by their enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to learn, and we hope this experience has inspired them to consider the many rewarding careers available in healthcare.”
By rotating through and gaining exposure to various clinical departments, students were also able to see that healthcare extends beyond the roles most commonly associated with a hospital. The programme introduced them to the range of skills, disciplines and professionals that work together to deliver safe, compassionate and high-quality patient care.
Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Chief Executive Officer, said the hospital has an important role to play in building the human capacity needed to support the future development and sustainability of healthcare in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a hospital, our responsibility extends beyond providing healthcare services today; we also have an important role in helping to develop the people who will deliver and lead healthcare tomorrow. Human capacity building is essential to the long-term sustainability of our health system, and programmes such as Summer READY allow us to introduce young people to healthcare careers early, nurture their interests and help them understand the educational and professional pathways available to them.
By opening our clinical environment to students and providing mentorship and practical exposure, we are helping to build a pipeline of
future nurses, physicians, allied health professionals and other healthcare workers. We want our young people to see that there is a place for their talents within the health sector and, importantly, that they can build rewarding careers while contributing to the health and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We are proud to play our part in investing in the next generation and strengthening our country’s future healthcare workforce.”
The programme concluded with the presentation of certificates of completion to the students, recognizing their successful participation and commitment throughout the two-week internship.
Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital congratulates all of the students who successfully completed the Summer Ready Programme and extends its appreciation to the clinical teams, supervisors and staff members who provided mentorship, guidance and practical learning opportunities throughout the programme.
Through the Summer READY Programme and its wider education, training, internship and professional development initiatives, Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital remains committed to supporting national human capacity development. By partnering with educational institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders, and by providing mentorship and practical learning opportunities within the healthcare environment, the Hospital aims to strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals needed to meet the evolving health needs of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
